after I started to use a straight razor, my father handed me my grate grand father's razor that's been gathering dust for almost half a century. And I'm wondering if anybody could tell me how old this one might be, and the quality of the steel on these razors.
First, welcome to the Den! Second, I have no clue. Not to worry, though, lots of knowledgeable folks here who are more than happy to help.
Hi welcome to the den! Unfortunately that razor isn't in very good condition. It would appear that the heel has a piece broken off the edge, and the toe has some hone wear, scales are cracked... But what's cool is that it's your great grandfathers razor, I would just display it proudly.
I think that might be more a display piece than a user. There really isn't enough steel left to get the entire edge back. Looking at that razor, some one used the heck out of it. If it was my great granddads, I would have that in a display case in a heart beat. I would also keep my eyes out to see if I could find a similar one that was in useable condition.
Thanks boys. It already is on a display☺ I have tried it, but it didn't bite good enough to do my beard, But it did bite on the hair on my arm, I'm pretty fresh on using a straight razor, and I'm wondering how big the leap from biting on the arm hair to a beard is? I haven't got any illusions about getting this one spotless, but I'm really hoping to get it stropped good enough to be able to take it down and shave with it once a year just to keep it 'alive'
There are a lot of people on here with more experience than me, but you are probably going to need at least a touch up on a stone as opposed to just stropping it. I have quite a few razors that will cut arm hair but are not shave ready. I usually need to go back a few steps on the hones to get the up to snuff.
I have to start honing then. I just ordered a used SR to get some practice before I do anything on this razor. I'm looking at some stones now, and my question then is the grit, 4000/7000, is that OK?
This is a bigger rabbit hole than I can go down on one post. There are some great videos on one stone by Glenn. @HolyRollah can you answer this better than I can? DG, I have 14 stones now, and still don't have a full set. I don't think you will get a shave ready one off a 4/7k stone.
According to gssixgun for quite a while he honed with a 4/8 k and a stroping...I have shaved on a the same with a crox polish and stroping and it works just fine. I also had a 1k bevel setter and a phig 1 stone honing was the very first way I honed with stroping I has some very nice shaves.
My comment about having 14 stones wasn't to imply that you need that many. It is much more important to get the right stones. I could have saved some money if I had done my home work and listened to that advise.
Not wrong exactly, but I have a 1k water stone bevel seter, several unidentified natural stones, and five finish grade natural stones. I don't have the middle stones needed to get a found in the wild razor to its best, although I can get pretty close using the one stone slurry methods and a lot of time. If I had it to do over again, I would get Nanawia 1,3,5, and 8k stones, and keep my natural finishers. Who am I kidding, that's a purchase list for down the road.
